Annual Report 2008 English [PDF, 2.69 MB] - Tessenderlo Group

annual report 2008
Plastic Pipe Systems
The Plastic Pipe Systems business unit succeeded in limiting the drop in sales
compared to 2008, despite the weak economic cycle. A slight increase during the
first three quarters could not fully compensate the decline in the fourth quarter.
Profitability fell slightly due to high raw material prices which could not be passed on
to the market swiftly enough.
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Activities and products
The Plastic Pipe Systems business unit
produces pipes and fittings for water
supply and drainage systems, and pipe
systems for gas, telecommunications and
other applications. The raw materials are
PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
Trends and facts in 2008
The business unit continued its strategic
growth, based on the two known pillars:
geographic expansion and a wider product
range, especially in the field of water
management.
Geographic expansion
and a wider product
range continue to be
the main growth pillars
In this respect, an important acquisition
was made in October. Tessenderlo Group
acquired Nyloplast Europe BV, a subsidiary
of Nyloplast NV. The Dutch company
Nyloplast Europe BV in ’s Gravendeel
produces plastic fittings for pressureless
piping systems in a large diameter for the
European market. The systems are used